Release agent supply wick for printer apparatus and method for making and using same

Abstract

An improved release agent delivery apparatus is disclosed for use in laser printers, plain paper copiers, facsimile machines, and similar printing apparatus. The delivery apparatus comprises an absorbent textile core filled with release agent, a permeable membrane surrounding the textile core to form a sheathed wick member, and a mounting sleeve adapted to attach the sheathed wick member in operative contact with the printer. The apparatus has numerous operational advantages over existing oil delivery apparatus, including providing multiple contact surfaces for longer operational life before replacement, ease in cleaning and regeneration, improved durability and reduced wear, and more compact and versatile operation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A release agent delivery apparatus adapted to be mounted against a roller which comprises an absorbent textile core filled with release agent;   a tubular permeable membrane of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surrounding the textile core to form a sheathed wick member with open ends; and   a mounting sleeve adapted to receive the sheathed wick member and retain the wick member in contact with the roller, wherein the sheathed wick member is readily removable from the sleeve and adapted to be reinserted therein with a different surface in contact with the roller.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the absorbent textile core comprises a fibrous rope material. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fibrous rope is selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, polyimide, copolyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, aramid, and novoloid. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the permeable membrane comprises a sheet of expanded PTFE. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sheet of expanded PTFE comprises a tape wrapped around the wick. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the permeable membrane comprises a continuous tube of expanded PTFE surrounding the wick. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the permeable membrane includes a coating of fluorinated ethylenepropylene (FEP). 
     
     
       8. A release agent delivery apparatus adapted to be mounted against a roller which comprises a sheathed wick member including an absorbent textile core filled with release agent, and a tubular permeable membrane of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surrounding the textile core; and   a mounting sleeve adapted to receive the sheathed wick member and retain a first contact surface of the wick member in contact with the roller;   wherein the sheathed wick member is readily removable from the sleeve and adapted to be reinserted therein with a different surface in contact with the roller.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sheathed wick member includes at least one open end.